Successful Completion of 2nd Seminar of Fanon Week

The Department of English successfully hosted the second seminar in its six-part series, Frantz Fanon at 100: Decolonizing the Mind, Reimagining the World, on 19 July 2025. The event, titled "Transformative Violence, Transforming Violence: Reading Fanon's A Dying Colonialism Now" drew an engaged audience of 92 students, fostering critical dialogues on resistance, liberation, and systemic change.

The seminar was masterfully anchored by Tansim Zannat, a distinguished faculty member, whose eloquence set the stage for critical inquiry. Dr. Elham Hossain, Associate Professor, delivered a stirring welcome address, framing Fanon’s theories as "a manifesto for dismantling oppressive systems" and urging participants to embrace "the courage to confront uncomfortable truths."

The core of the seminar was Dr. Mashrur Shahid Hossain’s (Professor, Jahangirnagar University) keynote, drawing from his expertise in postcolonial theory. He dissected Fanon’s A Dying Colonialism, framing violence not as destruction but as a transformative tool for liberation. Key insights included:

● Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s "Constructive Violence":Highlighting the necessity of collective action against neocolonial oppression, exemplified in works like Homecoming and Petals of Blood.

● Fanon’s "Engaging Apocalypse": Emphasizing how revolutionary violence redefines identity, as seen in Algeria’s struggle, where traditional roles evolved to prioritize collective survival.

● Decolonizing the Self: Emphasizing Fanon’s call to "discover the man behind the colonizer"—a plea for the colonized to reclaim identity from systemic erasure.

● Language as Liberation: Discussing the FLN’s   use of radio in Algeria to reclaim narratives and unify resistance.

The discussion was followed by a stimulating question and answer session. After that, an esteemed guest, Adnan Chowdhury, expanded on how these frameworks enrich contemporary thought, urging audiences to apply decolonial lenses to modern struggles. Afzalul Bashar (Adjunct Faculty, East West University) provocatively questioned revenge-driven narratives, challenging attendees to confront historical trauma without perpetuating cycles of violence.

A brief book uncovering segment was arranged. Dr. Elham Hossain, Associate Professor of the Department of English, has written a book to celebrate the 100th year of Fanon, which was uncovered through great enthusiasm. After that, crest was handed over to our esteemed guest through a brief crest distribution ceremony.

Dr. Md. Shamim Mondol, Chairperson, announced upcoming seminars and inspired participants to embrace Fanon’s call for "critical awareness and resistance." He highlighted the department’s commitment to fostering transformative scholarship, and concluded with a very inspiring closing remark.

The seminar succeeded in igniting debates on violence as agency, blending theoretical rigor with practical relevance. Faculty present included Mohammad Golam Mohiuddin (Assistant Professor) and others, ensuring interdisciplinary engagement.